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Serial changes in serum VEGF and HGF in patients with acute myocardial infarction
T Soeki1, Y Tamura, H Shinohara
1Department of Cardiology, Clinical Research Institute, Zentsuji National Hospital, Zentsuji, Japan. tsoeki@jun.ncvc.go.jp
Insights
In acute myocardial infarction (AMI), serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels are elevated and peak around day 7. These growth factors may indicate preinfarction ischemia and an inflammatory response.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- The temporal dynamics of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are not well understood.
- Investigating these growth factors may provide insights into the pathophysiology and inflammatory processes following AMI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the time course of serum VEGF and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels in patients with AMI.
- To explore the relationship between these growth factors, preinfarction angina, and inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 32 AMI patients and 30 controls at admission and on days 3, 7, 14, and 21.
- Serum levels of VEGF, HGF, C-reactive protein (CRP), and amyloid A protein (SAA) were measured.
Main Results:
- AMI patients exhibited higher admission serum VEGF and HGF levels compared to controls, peaking on day 7.
- Elevated VEGF levels were associated with preinfarction angina, while HGF levels did not differ.
- CRP and SAA levels peaked on day 3, with day 3 CRP correlating with day 7 VEGF and HGF levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum VEGF levels may be linked to preinfarction ischemia in AMI patients.
- The rise in VEGF and HGF by day 7 suggests a potential role in the acute inflammatory response to AMI.
Abstract:
The time course of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) release in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unknown. Blood samples were obtained at the time of admission and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days later in 32 patients with AMI and 30 control patients. Serum VEGF and HGF, as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) and amyloid A protein (SAA), were determined. Both serum VEGF and HGF levels on admission in patients with AMI were higher than control values and peaked on day 7. VEGF levels in patients with preinfarction angina were higher than in patients with no preinfarction angina, whereas the HGF level did not differ. Both CRP and SAA levels peaked on day 3, and the CRP level on day 3 correlate with both VEGF and HGF levels on day 7. We hypothesized that the serum VEGF level is associated with preinfarction ischemia and the increase in VEGF and HGF on day 7 of AMI may represent a response to acute inflammation.